The debates are still swirling about whether Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels should return this season. And one respected NFL insider believes that some crucial conversations in the coming days will ultimately determine his fate.
Daniels went down with a dislocated elbow against the Seattle Seahawks. With the Commanders going nowhere fast at 3-8, fans and experts have speculated whether the No. 2 pick in 2024 will be shut down. That wouldn't go down well with the player or his teammates, but Washington needs to start forward thinking rather than attempting to salvage something from a lost campaign.
The former LSU star is a competitive player. It's part of the spark that spearheaded Washington's renaissance last season. Things haven't gone according to plan this time around, and Daniels' stream of injuries has played a leading role in their demise.
Commanders braced for crucial conversations about Jayden Daniels' status
Before the dislocated elbow, Daniels sustained a knee sprain and a low-grade hamstring strain. Subjecting him to more needless punishment is risky without the correct time to alter his style. Still, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed that those in power will meet to discuss the plan of attack over the bye before reaching a formal outcome.
"Washington's situation with [Jayden] Daniels is more complicated from my view. Sources have maintained that while Daniels could return as quickly as three weeks from the occurrence of the injury (so, Week 13 vs. Denver), the team has loosely braced for a five-to-six-week absence just in case. That tells me that shutting him down remains a possibility, based on his durability this season (three separate injuries) and the team's current standing. Big-picture talks about how to proceed will play out over the coming days and provide clarity one way or the other."Jeremy Fowler
Much will depend on how the injury is healing. If Daniels can't get back until one or two games left, there doesn't seem much point in playing him if the Commanders keep losing. This is also a young player who needs reps and momentum, so allowing him to do just that if three or four contests are remaining seems feasible.
Daniels has probably heard all the chatter about his sophomore slump. He's never one to lack motivation, but this will spur him on to heal quickly and remind the world why he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. At the same time, the Commanders could decide to protect their franchise player, even if he doesn't like it.
It's a fine line. But if Fowler's report is accurate, things should become clear in the next few days.
Watch this space...